CHAPTER FIVE

: Insanity Verses Tranquility:

Swords clashed as bodies collided with masculine grunts. Feet skidded in meticulous motions along the sleek floor. Blood splattered, shedding Van's visage covered in the red splotches, smeared across his scarred cheek. Dilandau had successfully blocked his current attack before lifting his arms in the air and stabbing his opponents shoulder, the blade rupturing flesh as it plummeted beside Van's spine.

His body lurched back from the blow, his fingers bursting open, releasing the hilt thus allowing his own weapon to fall to the ground in a loud clatter. A gruff gurgle vibrated in the angels bosom drenched in his own blood, leaking from the wound. Dilandau chuckled wryly as he twisted his wrist, the sword embedded in Van's tense shoulder, steering in a ninety degree angle. The king's helpless cry echoed throughout the corridors, arousing the slayers lust to kill as he shoved his right foot into the raven haired man's arched stomach, kicking him mercilessly to the ground.

The action caused his blade to slip from Van's shoulder as he fell to the ground. He was victorious, yet he felt no pride, in fact he felt he'd lost. Angered by this he approached Van, sprawled on the floor, struggling to lift himself up.

Hitomi screamed as she pounded her fists against the door frame, sobbing frantically as she heard the heart wrenching cries erupt from Van. Shaking her head she slid down the door, crying as she heard Van grunt before a thud was heard.

He was loosing, and she could do nothing to help him.

" I wont…..allow you to win…" Van muttered as he arose in a sitting posture, his right hand curling around his left shoulder.

" And what makes you so sure you can defeat me in your state, Fanel?" The smirk lifting Dilandau's lips disturbed him, as his brown orbs, filled with a maroon hue shifted to the side.

" I will not allow my people……." He began, breathing rapidly as he turned his eyes back to the white haired man.

"…. to die by your hands,"

His opponent merely laughed. The sound was eerie, exaggerated and boasted.

" Fanel…..did you think your people's death was my ultimate purpose?" He snapped bitterly, shards of his hair slapping against his solemn visage as he whipped his head around to glare at the angel.

He was unable to control the surprise in his voice as he rasped a dry: " W-what?"

" King of Fanelia. You hold so much power yet that brain of yours," Dilandau lifted his right hand, extending his index finger as he tapped his own temple.

" Do you not see?" Dilandau questioned with a humorous laugh.

" See what?" Van snapped through gritted teeth.

" Perhaps you forget who is currently in the room behind you," He grinned as Van visibly blanched, the color draining from his face in seconds as he peered up.

" H-Hitomi? What the hell do you plan on doing with her?!" He demanded in a course tone.

" Are you that dense?" Dilandau laughed the words before he walked around Van in a circular shape.

" She'll never join your side!"

" Oh really?" Jerking his sword up he thrust it against Van's neck, slumping back as he snarled at Dilandau with disgust.

" I'm sure she can be persuaded," He exclaimed, eyes narrowing in mockery as he swiped the blade firmly against Van's adams apple. A trail of blood slipped down his bronze neck, drooping down to his collar bone. Dilandau snarled as the king's face remained stoic. Whether he was in pain or not, he was currently not allowing his features to express such. He almost looked dead.

No matter…….he'll surrender eventually.

" Dalet, Chesta! You imbeciles! Get over here right now!" He bellowed, an insane look flooding into his eyes as they grew large and dilated. He continued to look down at Van, never allowing his eyes to retreat from the angels visage.

The two slayers approached, their armor clanking against their bodies as they hastily scurried into view. Van ignored them, as he glared intently at Dilandau, who reluctantly broke the trance that formed between their heated stare as he turned to his loyal slayers.

" Take him to the dungeons," He began, the tip of his sword still placed against Van's throat.

Hitomi pressed her ear against the door before she stood up and began to furiously shake the door knob, in hopes it may break and she'd be free to help Van. She wanted to see him, feel his strong arms around her once again.

" Dilandau! Dilandau!" She screamed. The man she beckoned angrily turned his head in the direction of the door.

" What!?"

" I'll do it! I'll go through with it! Just don't hurt Van!" She begged, clutching the door as she shut her eyes with a helpless sob.

Dilandau smirked. " I'm glad you see it my way," He announced as he slowly removed his sword from Van's neck, as Dalet and Chesta stood beside him.

Casually swiping a hand over his forehead, he pushed the flock of hair lingering by his eye, brushing it behind his earlobe. Placing his sword back within its sheath he approached the room Hitomi was held captive. Pulling out the key, he unlocked the door.

She burst past him tears springing to her eyes as she over looked Van. Oh Van! What has he done to you?

He was silently crouched on the ground, head slumped down as his unruly bangs flung over his eyes, shielding partial of his face from her view. Running up to him he looked up as her bare feet came into his eyes view.

" Hit--"

" Van! I'm sorry!" She sobbed, embracing him tightly as she slouched down, looping her arms tenderly about him. He trembled in her grasp, and she thought for a moment that she heard him crying but quickly bypassed it as she enveloped him in a loving hold.

Van wrapped his right arm around her, his left arm left to dangle to his side, weakened from the wound in his shoulder. Clutching her closely against him he buried his face in the crook of her neck.

" I'm glad your okay," He murmured, his breath causing a lock of her hair to flutter back as he rested lightly against her. Just being around her made everything wrong seem like nothing of importance to him. He no longer cared that Dilandau and his slayers were watching them. He didn't care his arm felt like it had been amputated, or the dizziness that began to drowse his vision as he tightly shut his eyes. All that mattered was the moment. Being in her arms was a gift to him granted from the heavens. And he didn't plan on disappointing them as he held her possessively, momentarily allowing his gaze to meet Dilandau's, clearly stating the girl in his arms as his property.

I'll always protect you Hitomi. I promise….

Dilandau grunted as he walked behind Hitomi and snagged a fistful of her hair before propping her up and tugging her away from Van's warm embrace.

" Let her go!" Van commanded as he looked up. He prepared to stand but Dalet had snatched his left arm, twisting the limb slightly as he dug his fingers in the wound near his collar bone. Van clenched his teeth as he grunted and writhed against the slayers hands.

Chesta, hesitant, walked beside Dalet and grabbed Van's right arm, wailing to the side.

" Easy now!" Dalet stated as he looped his right arm around Van's neck, jerking him back firmly against him, restraining him with fierce tugs as the black haired man refused to give in.

" Get your hands off her!" He bellowed as Dilandau grabbed Hitomi and embraced her from behind. Smirking impishly he lifted his left arm, tucking his hand under her chin in hopes of aggravating the king.

" Tell me Fanel, what exactly is it that attracts you to such a hideous female?" He chuckled as Van screamed and elbowed Chesta, but was unsuccessful in his escape as Dalet held a firm grip on his left arm, digging his fingers into the area where Dilandau's sword had pierced his flesh. Releasing a pained gasp he fell limp, breathing heavily as his energy abated.

Hitomi trembled against Dilandau as his gloved fingers brushed down her jawbone with eloquent motions.

" Perhaps its this hair?" He smirked wryly as he tugged on a stray strand, Hitomi wincing in response but remaining silent. Van vigorously thrust forward, bound by Dalet and Chesta who had regained his composure.

" I'll kill you for touching her!"

Van stumbled back, panting slightly as he felt the affects of the blood loss.

" Or perhaps its this….." He muttered huskily as he grabbed Hitomi's chin and tilted her head to the side. Leaning down he let his gaze linger on Van who watched in utter shock. Dilandau almost laughed with glee and success at the look etched on Van's face.

He looked lost, speechless, as though he had been betrayed by his best companion. His eyes wavered, his body slack against his two slayers as he continued to watch his enemy holding his beloved in his arms.

Van inhaled sharply, shaking violently against Dalet and Chesta as Dilandau's lips planted themselves on hers.

He was kissing her. He was kissing his Hitomi!

Enraged tears filled his eyes as the psychotic boy moved his lips against Hitomi's frozen ones. Her eyes were wide, her features agape. What was he doing? What was he planning? And most importantly why wasn't she pushing him away!?

Whimpering against his mouth she fidgeted against him, struggling to rip her lips from his but his grip on her was far too powerful.

Dilandau felt repulsed. He had actually been enjoying the kiss. He must have stabbed himself far too deep earlier. Pulling away he released a sharp breath.

" Will you kill me now Fanel?" He grinned mockingly. " Unless my actions were far too….generous. Perhaps I should try ag--"

" Don't…..don't you dare kiss her again!" He shouted.

" Tell me, Fanel. How are you capable of stopping me in such a condition?" He questioned with an amused laugh.

Hitomi recognized the look developing in Van's eyes. It was dark, demonic, and she regretted thinking such things, but for a second his features resembled the insanity within Dilandau himself.

" Stop it!" She sobbed suddenly, whirling in Dilandau's arms as she looked at Van. Reluctantly his eyes softened as he looked back with an immense intensity. Absently bringing her fingers to her lips she looked away, turning her head diffidently toward Dilandau.

I won't regret this…….its for the best….Van

Lifting her head with a confident grimace she looked intently into his red irises, shifting down to her shorter figure.

" I'll do it, I'll join your side for the safety of Van,"

A/N: Oh my…..GOD! What has Hitomi done? All for Van's safety? But can she be so sure Dilandau isn't plotting anything? What will Van do? I don't even know these answers. Well…….not till they come to me in my sleep. ^o^

Don't worry I'll figure out a pairing………and tell you guys eventually. Hopefully I'll be strong enough to decide between two awesome men. *drool* lol.

Well you know the drill. Read and Review. MAKE IT A RITUAL! :P